Thursday’s college football: Third Notre Dame offensive lineman enters transfer portal

Posted by author January 24, 2025 Football

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Associated Press
| Associated Press

South Bend, Ind. – Notre Dame offensive lineman Pat Coogan, who started 26 games over the last two seasons and often served as the team’s pregame hype man, is transferring.

Coogan announced his intentions on social media Thursday and will have one year of eligibility remaining as a graduate transfer.

He joins fellow guards Rocco Spindler and Sam Pendleton, as well as receivers Deion Colzie and Jayden Thomas, in leaving the Fighting Irish following the team’s 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday night, according to various reports.

Spindler, a senior from Clarkston, Mich., started 13 games at right guard for Notre Dame this season after initially losing his starting job to Pendleton in fall camp. Spindler started 23 games over four seasons and has one year of eligibility remaining.

Pendleton started seven games this season and will have three years of eligibility left.

Big money for Belichick

North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick and school officials have signed his official employment contract, formalizing last month’s hiring after speculation that the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach might opt instead for a return to the NFL.

The school released the contract Thursday, which was signed by chancellor Lee Roberts and athletic director Bubba Cunningham and approved by university trustees earlier in the day. Belichick signed the deal Wednesday.

The formal contract replaces the signed term sheet released as the school held its introductory news conference for the 72-year-old Belichick, who is taking over a college program for the first time.

The sides agreed to a five-year deal, though only the first three years are guaranteed with $10 million per year in base and supplemental salary with another $3.5 million available in bonuses. There was also a $10 million buyout for Belichick to leave until June, when it drops to $1 million.

Notre Dame’s Morrison enters draft

Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison, a junior who missed most of the season following a hip injury in October, is entering the NFL draft.

Morrison announced his decision on social media Thursday, writing, “This is not just the end of one chapter – it’s the beginning of another. I’ll carry the lessons, memories, and love from Notre Dame every step of the way.”

Morrison is widely considered a potential first-round pick in April.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Morrison had six interceptions as a true freshman in 2022. He had three interceptions and a team-high 10 pass breakups in 2023, when he was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. Morrison started Notre Dame’s first six games this season before undergoing season-ending hip surgery.

He finished his Notre Dame career with nine interceptions, 27 passes defended and 84 tackles.